For-giving…

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Another year has passed by the grace of Christ!
We are in Advent, the most beautiful and sweet time of the year. The lights, the decorations, and since childhood, we’ve been taught to be kinder at Christmas, to prepare ourselves…

In this atmosphere of waiting, this countdown of weeks and days, we sometimes get more distracted by external preparations—decorations, lights, gifts—than by being vigilant in preparing our hearts for the child Jesus.

So, what should we do? Pray more? Give to charity? Go to church more often?
Every year, during our marathon leading up to Christmas, we pause to reset our hearts, our emotions, and, even though it’s difficult, to do what Jesus Himself asked us: to forgive.

Then Peter approached and said to Him: “Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother if he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
And Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
(Matthew 18:21)

The word for-give in fact points us to the gift of the act of love that annihilates evil.
If we respond to evil with evil, we become accomplices in the devil’s plans, who, like a roaring lion, seeks whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But if we for-give, we give good instead, and the bond with which the evil one seeks to tie us is destroyed by the grace of God.

If we are still uncertain about what to give as a gift: let’s strive to be kinder, more patient, and sincere, and let us forgive with all our hearts so that we can love more. These actions will bear fruit in heaven and on earth.

Happy heart preparations to all!

For-giving…
Per-donare…
Par-donar…
139th International Prayer Marathon
14-15-16 December 2024

www.72hoursforjesus.org